Benzodiazepine usage amongst the elderly: Findings of the liverpool community survey

The use of benzodiazepines by a randomly selected community‐based sample of Liverpudlians aged 65 and over is reported. No significant change in usage between the two study periods 1982–83 and 1985–86 was found, in contrast to nationwide trends indicated by prescription audits. There was an excess of consumption by women, a high proportion of users who could be classified as long‐term users and an enduring popularity of long‐acting drugs.